He was in a desperate position – a request for water from the Germans was met by a bomb being thrown at him.

Taking the rope that had been put around him Lance Corporal Angus attached it to Lieutenant Martin then gave him a sip of brandy.

As both men began their hazardous journey back to the British trenches 70 yards away, the Germans opened up with everything they had.

During the trip back to the British trenches Lance Corporal Angus received forty wounds, including losing sight in one eye as well as injuries to his legs, arms, head and shoulders.

Despite these injuries he got Lieutenant Martin, a fellow citizen of Carluke, back to the British trenches.

His commanding office Lt Colonel Gemmill recommended him for a V.C.

His selfless act was described as one of the most courageous ever undertaken in World War One.

On his return to Britain he was given the Victoria Cross by King George V in Buckingham Palace on August 30 1915.

Shortly afterwards he returned to Carluke. Arriving by train he was taken by Lord Newlands, chairman of the Lanarkshire Territorial Force and Lieutenant Martin (the man he rescued) to a reception at Carluke Cross.

The whole town turned out to greet one of Britain’s greatest heroes of World War One.

Others from Carluke however were to follow in Lance Corporal Angus’ footsteps and get a V.C.

These were Sergeant Thomas Caldwell in 1918 and Lieutenant Donald Cameron in World War Two.

Maybe these men were inspired by Lance Corporal Angus’ actions on June 12, 1915.

Finally, it is an amazing to record that all the Carluke V.Cs were photographed together after World Ward II and despite his injuries William Angus lived until 1959.